Do whites sleep better than blacks? A new study suggests, maybe Corbis

March 12, 2010

ADVERTISEMENT

Sign Up for

Our free email newsletters

10 things you need to know today

Today's best articles

The week's best photojournalism

Today's top cartoons

Daily business briefing

Sleep is an increasingly precious commodity in today's America. Although doctors recommend a solid eight-hours, a new study by the National Sleep Foundation reports that one in three Americans sleep fewer than six hours a night. Intriguingly, when it comes to getting a good night's rest, some ethnic groups fare better than others. Here, a by-the-numbers breakdown of who's sleepless in America and why:

20The percentage of the white population reporting sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea

10 Percentage of Asians who suffer from such issues

33 The percentage of African Americans and Hispanics who say they have trouble sleeping at least a few nights a week because of worries about money, health, or love

10The approximate percentage of whites, blacks, and Hispanics who admit to using sleeping pills at least a few nights a week. Roughly the same percentage of respondents in each racial segment say they sometimes drank beer or wine to help them nod off

16 The percentage of white respondents who sleep with their pets

8 The percentage of white parents who sleep with their young children

5:41Average time that white males — the earliest work-day risers — get out of bed

6:32 Average time that black women — the earliest weekend risers — get out of bed on Saturday and Sunday

103 minutesThe amount of extra time the average white male sleeps on weekends (rising at 7:24 a.m.) 10:59The average work-night bedtime for white women, the first demographic group to call it a night11:54The average work-night bedtime for Asian men, the last ones to turn in